Notes on the New Human Resources Legislation
Discrimination, SB 1441
This law adds sexual orientation to existing law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, color, or disability. Expands the definition of discrimination to include the perception that the victim is a member of a protected class.
Safety, SB 1613
This law provides that it is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, unless that telephone is designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking operation, and is used in that manner while driving. (This is applicable to employers who have company vehicles and drivers).
Sexual Harassment, AB 2095
This law limits the requirement that employers provide mandated sexual harassment training to supervisors physically located in California.
Payroll Taxation, SB 1827
This law permits registered domestic partners to file their income tax returns jointly or separately on terms similar to those governing spouses, and provides that the earned income of registered domestic partners be recognized as community property. Registered domestic partners who file separate income tax returns each report one-half of the combined income earned by both domestic partners, as spouses do, rather than their respective individual incomes for the taxable year.
Wages, AB 1835
This law increases the minimum wage to $7.50 per hour, effective on and after January 1, 2007, and to $8.00 per hour, effective on and after January 1, 2008. It also requires the Department of Industrial Relations to adjust upwards the permissible meals and lodging credits by the same percentage as the increases in the minimum wage
Wage Deductions, AB 2440
Imposes a penalty on an employer that assists an employee or contractor with child support obligations evade meeting those obligations, including failure to file reports upon hiring.
Wages, AB 2095
This law provides that an employer has complied with payroll law if overtime hours worked in the current pay period are itemized as corrections on the pay stub for the next regular pay period provided it identifies the dates of the pay period to which they refer.
Workers' Compensation, AB 2068
Permits pre-designation of a medical group as the primary treating physician and extends the sunset date of the right of pre-designation
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